This morning the Lord reminded me of a truth He impressed on my heart a number of years ago.
When we think about a wedding so much focus is on the bride – her bridesmaids, the dress, the flowers, etc. The bridegroom does not get the attention that the bride does. But in Paul’s writing to the church of Ephesus, it’s all about the groom.
“Be willing to serve each other out of respect for Christ. 22 Wives, be willing to serve your husbands the same as the Lord…25 Husbands, love your wives the same as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it…31 The Scriptures say, “That is why a man will leave his father and mother and join his wife, and the two people will become one.” 32 That secret truth is very important—I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 But each one of you must love his wife as he loves himself. And a wife must respect her husband.” Ephesians 5:21-33 ERV
A husband will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife…this is the truth that the Lord impressed on my heart. This is talking about Jesus.
This is what Jesus did for us. He left his Father, he came to earth and loved us enough to die for us. He joined himself to us and then made us the promise that He would never leave us or forsake us – He became one with us! He gave up all!!
The thing that really jumped out at me was that Jesus left his Father to be joined to us…ponder that. Really let it sink in. He gave up all, willingly. And what He asks of us in return is honor/respect/reverence.
Christ didn’t die for us and then abandon us to do the rest of this life on our own. He isn’t dictatorial and he isn’t abusive – He loves us so much that he willing gave all and died to save us.
“He left the Splendor of Heaven
Knowing His destiny
Was the lonely hill of Golgotha
there to lay down His life for me.
if that isn’t love
the ocean is dry
there’s no stars in the sky
and the sparrow can’t fly
if that isn’t love
then Heavens a myth
there’s no feeling like this
if that isn’t love” (If That Isn’t Love by Dottie Rambo)
Whatever is going on in your life today, good or difficult, you have a Bridegroom who has given His life for you so that you will know how much you are truly loved. You are cherished and precious.
“We love Him because He loved us first.” I John 4:19 NLV
It’s all about the Groom!